I'm a cyclist getting ready to do my first Tri in a couple of months. I'm looking at investing in some tri shorts and top, but not familiar with the common brands I'm coming across. Do any of you have a preference? It appears that Orca, 2XU, and Zoot are decent brands. How about Profile Design? If it matters, I will be doing sprints and maybe an olympic distance at the longest.

I like DeSoto because their shorts can be had with pockets.

Cool. I'll check them out

2XU = my favorite

Another vote for DeSoto. Great customer service, well thought out line of clothes.
T

I prefer Zoot.

desoto ftw

I have a de soto suit, but didn't try on that many before I bought.

DeSoto, but I use a one piece. It makes me look slimmer. :rolleyes:

I have a pair of Pear Izumi tri shorts that I got a couple of years ago to wear to the gym. I entered my first tri last December. They dont have an insert (newer versions do have a thin insert).
They are fine for a sprint, and might be for an Olympic distance.

I'm curious about tri shorts (or a one-piece I suppose?) as well, but I'd like to get a pair that hold up well in a chlorinated pool. A quick look at some of the online shops seems to indicate that many are not made to hold up long in such conditions. Does anyone recommend any in particular that worked well for them for that?

My pair has a warning about chlorine, but I have only worn them in a pool once. My next tri (and maybe a splash and dash) will be lake swims. I think there are shorts that are ok with chlorine. Maybe check Zoot?

I have used mine for mostly pool swims. I don't train in it, just wear it on race day. And it gets well rinsed afterwards. Unless you are in the pool weekly, I think it should hold up.

I wear a Nike swimsuit for training in the pool. they are long, like bike shorts.

I'd suggest picking up a pair of Speedo or Tyr jammers (or Nike, or whatever brand) for your pool workouts and leave the tri shorts for races and/or brick workouts.

Check out swim outlet...they have a good selection of these between $20-35.

http://www.swimoutlet.com/Swim_Jammers_s/213.htm

2XU by far.....I wear and sale them all.....and they are at the top of my list!!!!

Any opinions on Orca?

I've own quite a few different brands (zoot, desoto, sugoi, louis garneau, voler, oomph) and almost all of them have been great. Some manufacturer and models fit and sizedifferently. In many cases, the fit is similar to finding a fit for cycling shorts. In many cases, the more panels the better the fit.

Tried Sugoi, but they didn't last very long. Toast before the end of one season. Now I use 2XU and I'm very pleased so far.

All last year I wore LG. I have a new pair of DeSoto now which feels nice, but haven't raced in them yet.

I'm doing my first sprint tri in June (all women). I recently purchased my raceday "outfit", which consists of a Zoot tri-top, and Zoot tri-shorts. I thought I was happy with the purchase, but lately...I've been having second-thoughts about it, and am now considering returning the 2-piece outfit for a 1-piece trisuit. I know most people think the 1-piece suits make it harder to go to the bathroom, but that's not really a concern of mine. My biggest concern, is that the tri-top will get all billowy during the swim, and actually drag me down even more. Since the .75k swim portion is technically in a "pool" (it's an old quarry filled with water on a beach-setting), I'm fairly certain that wetsuits aren't allowed. I just think I would be more comfortable (read: less self-conscious) wearing a 1-piece trisuit, since it would hold everything in better, thus giving a more slimming appearance. :-)

Here is my question...I think I have my choices of tri suits narrowed down to two. The TYR Women's Splice Trisuit ($103.95), and the ZOOT Women's TRIfit Racesuit ($99.95). Which of these trisuits are better? Are there any others in this price range that I should consider?

Linda